Patent Application
20250117305
Personal computers (PC/PCs) are an integral part of personal and business life. Their use is equally ubiquitous as automobiles, household appliances, and mobile telephones. Like the former, the loss of PC use would cause just as much inconvenience and loss of work. Unlike the former, however, PCs lack essential features that ensure uninterrupted health and function of these crucial items. The goal of the invention is to improve the health of personal computers. In the current art, PCs are serviced only when they fail. Also, it's uncommon in the art to perform preventative maintenance checks on PCs. Additionally, unlike automobiles or household appliances, PCs do not have warning lights that indicate a pending problem. Thus, there is a need to monitor health and proper function to ensure continuous operation and communicate the issue to the user.
The invention comprises installing hardware on the computer or motherboard that monitors the internal environment of the PC and the various components. When hardware detects non-favorable conditions or faults in components, the hardware wirelessly communicates the information to a wireless device or system. The device's owner could be the owner of the PC, the OEM, or a PC service provider.
In one embodiment, a USB device is connected to the motherboard and contains the invention to track and monitor the life of hardware components and the motherboard's performance. The invention is programmed with performance data to compare to components in another PC, which acts as the standard or control. The invention monitors the performance of the components for fluctuation and changes that are early signs of failure or malfunction. Upon detecting a fluctuation or sign of malfunction, the invention sends an email to the interested party. The interested party could be the owner, the OEM, a designated repair service, or any combination of the latter. Such information will expedite the processing of warranty claims or the ordering the required parts. Another embodiment invention is located on a component that fits into a peripheral component interconnected express (PIC-E) slot. Similarly, the component will contain the invention of monitoring the PC's health.
Using either embodiment makes the computer a self-monitoring device to identify specific failing or malfunctioning components. The invention comprises a wireless card and a wireless receiver, such as the cell phone, Raspberry Pi, and the Cloud, which receives the information and sends it to the OEM, repair service, and owner.
Either embodiment, through its connection to the motherboard, periodically checks the performance of the hardware and devices. For example, the invention will monitor the RAM and the CPU and compare their performance to industry standards. It can also monitor the condition of the chipsets on the motherboard. Additionally, the invention will monitor the internal environment, and PC performance depends on internal temperature. For example, the invention can monitor the speed of the internal fans and the airflow throughout the case. The inside of the PC case should be maintained at 20 to 80° C. The invention can monitor the temperature and alert the appropriate parties of the deficiencies or adjust the airflow via the installed fans to bring the temperature back to the desired range.
With reference to
Whenever any of the states of the former are not within the desired range, a fault is detected. The software then communicates the fault to the interested party (504). The fault is transmitted via the communication system installed on the PC (501), with non-limiting examples including wireless communication, e.g., Bluetooth, or wired communication, such as an ethernet connection, or coaxial cable, telephonic communication. Non-limiting examples of the receiver include a wireless receiver, such as a cell phone, Raspberry Pi, or the Cloud, which receives the information and sends it to the interested party.
The interested party (504) may evaluate the fault and take corrective action. The interested party (504) includes, but is not limited to, the PC OEM, a repair service provider, the owner, or others tasked to repair and maintain the PC (501).
The following definitions apply herein unless otherwise indicated.
“Substantially” means more-or-less conforming to the particular dimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term, such that a feature or component need not conform strictly. For example, a “substantially cylindrical” object resembles a cylinder but may have one or more deviations from an actual cylinder.
“Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) are used interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional elements or method steps not expressly recited.
Terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third” are used to distinguish or identify various members of a group or the like and are not intended to denote a serial, chronological, or numerical limitation.
“Coupled” means connected, permanently or releasable, directly or indirectly, through intervening components.
“Communicatively coupled” means that an electronic device is connected to another electronic device, either wirelessly or with a wire-based connector, directly or indirectly, through a communication network. “Controllably coupled” means that the electronic device controls the operation of the other electronic device.
This application claims priority to copending U.S. Application, Ser. No. 63/542,506 filed on Oct. 4, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63542506 | Oct 2023 | US |
